WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:05.820 Well, good morning, church. Would you turn with me to the Gospel of Mark, chapter 8. 00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:11.179 We're looking at verses 27 through 33. That's page 792 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:12.320 --> 00:00:15.560 Mark chapter 8, 27 through 33. 00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:20.920 As we turn there, let me pray, and then I'll read for us. 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:28.060 Father in heaven, what a mighty prayer that is, that you would be our vision. 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:34.420 Lord, whatever may befall, be our vision. 00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:42.939 Lord, we confess that there are many things that crowd into our line of sight, the sight of our hearts. 00:00:43.879 --> 00:00:47.460 God, we pray that you would clear those things away now in these moments as we come to your word. 00:00:49.239 --> 00:00:53.320 Let our spiritual blindness be healed and help us to see you in all your glory. 00:00:53.320 --> 00:01:01.740 That we might love you and serve you and worship you and rest in you as we were created to do. 00:01:01.920 --> 00:01:03.500 We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:04.859 --> 00:01:08.960 All right. Mark chapter 8, verse 27 through 33. 00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:14.379 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:17.179 And on the way, he asked his disciples, 00:01:17.979 --> 00:01:19.819 Who do people say that I am? 00:01:21.179 --> 00:01:23.519 And they told him, John the Baptist. 00:01:23.959 --> 00:01:25.000 And others say, Elijah. 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:26.619 And others, one of the prophets. 00:01:26.620 --> 00:01:29.120 And he asked them, 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:31.800 But who do you say that I am? 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:34.040 Peter answered him, 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:35.960 You are the Christ. 00:01:37.060 --> 00:01:40.439 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. 00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:45.280 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:49.120 and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:50.320 and be killed. 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:53.300 And after three days, rise again. 00:01:54.100 --> 00:01:56.100 And he said this plainly. 00:01:57.400 --> 00:01:59.579 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 00:02:00.380 --> 00:02:01.920 But turning and seeing his disciples, 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:03.960 he rebuked Peter and said, 00:02:04.620 --> 00:02:05.580 Get behind me, Satan. 00:02:06.680 --> 00:02:09.080 For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, 00:02:09.740 --> 00:02:11.500 but on the things of man. 00:02:13.719 --> 00:02:15.540 So, the Gospel of Mark. 00:02:15.540 --> 00:02:21.520 The Gospel of Mark is a very carefully and artfully constructed book. 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:24.099 You might not notice that the first time you read it 00:02:24.099 --> 00:02:26.420 because it's so quick and it's so punchy. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:30.659 But it's actually sort of wrought with a lot of care and a lot of detail. 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:33.379 The Gospel begins by saying, 00:02:33.920 --> 00:02:34.700 This is the good news. 00:02:34.780 --> 00:02:37.740 The Gospel about Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God. 00:02:38.379 --> 00:02:42.259 And then Mark's story takes us on this kind of two-part journey. 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:44.540 There are two halves to the Gospel of Mark. 00:02:45.060 --> 00:02:46.740 In the first eight chapters, 00:02:47.319 --> 00:02:50.640 Mark is essentially trying to help us answer the question, 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:52.200 Who is he? 00:02:52.679 --> 00:02:54.019 Who is this Jesus? 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:56.839 And then in the second half of the book, 00:02:56.959 --> 00:02:58.619 the last eight chapters, 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:02.379 Mark is trying to help us come to see and answer the question, 00:03:02.539 --> 00:03:03.899 What did he come to do? 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:10.399 And these two halves actually connect right here in our passage. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:11.039 Who is he? 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:12.479 What did he come to do? 00:03:12.479 --> 00:03:15.519 This passage is really the hinge of the whole book. 00:03:15.579 --> 00:03:19.000 We've come to kind of the burning center of the whole thing. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:23.439 But you know, this passage doesn't just tell us what Mark, 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:25.519 or the earliest apostles, 00:03:25.799 --> 00:03:29.239 or even what Jesus himself thought about his own identity. 00:03:30.239 --> 00:03:33.239 It also turns the spotlight on us, 00:03:33.879 --> 00:03:35.219 the readers, the listeners. 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:37.879 What about you? 00:03:39.580 --> 00:03:42.219 What do you believe about Jesus? 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:45.000 Who do you say that I am? 00:03:46.919 --> 00:03:49.319 There's no more important question than this. 00:03:50.280 --> 00:03:53.360 What do you believe about Jesus? 00:03:54.419 --> 00:03:56.840 Who do you say he is? 00:03:56.840 --> 00:04:02.120 I want to look at our passage in four parts this morning, 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:06.340 as we consider this searching and most important of questions. 00:04:07.300 --> 00:04:08.319 And in the first part, 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:13.300 we see that there are lots of opinions about Jesus. 00:04:14.199 --> 00:04:15.560 Lots of opinions then, 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:17.139 and lots of opinions now. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:19.319 Look again at verses 27 and 28. 00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:20.680 Mark writes, 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:23.819 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. 00:04:23.819 --> 00:04:28.060 Now that's about a 15 mile travel north of the Sea of Galilee, 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:29.079 Caesarea Philippi. 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:31.099 It was chiefly a non-Jewish region, 00:04:31.540 --> 00:04:35.360 and it was actually famous for having a pagan worship site 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:37.459 dedicated to the god Pan. 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:40.759 Sort of this half goat, half man sort of god 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:43.180 that was about fertility and crops 00:04:43.180 --> 00:04:44.439 and all sorts of things that you would worship 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:45.740 if you were a pagan in the first century. 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:47.579 So this is Caesarea Philippi. 00:04:47.779 --> 00:04:50.360 Sort of a strange place for Jesus to take his disciples, 00:04:50.519 --> 00:04:51.800 to ask them this searching question. 00:04:51.800 --> 00:04:53.159 But they're getting away. 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:55.060 They're getting away from the crowds. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:56.319 They're getting away from the hubbub. 00:04:56.420 --> 00:04:57.719 They're getting away from the activity. 00:04:59.459 --> 00:05:00.439 And on the way, 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:02.139 he asked his disciples, 00:05:02.620 --> 00:05:04.699 Who do people say that I am? 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:07.519 And they told him John the Baptist, 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:09.040 and others say Elijah, 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:10.219 and others one of the prophets. 00:05:11.539 --> 00:05:13.699 So we see that there are a lot of opinions circulating 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:14.920 about who Jesus is. 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:17.519 And you notice that most of these opinions 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:19.779 are pretty pious opinions. 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:22.000 They're even respectful opinions. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:25.000 All of them sort of seek to make Jesus out 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:27.220 to be a great, even powerful figure. 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:28.259 Right? 00:05:28.379 --> 00:05:31.420 John the Baptist was a respected and revered preacher. 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:34.459 Perhaps Jesus is continuing the work of John the Baptist. 00:05:35.620 --> 00:05:36.379 Or how about Elijah? 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:38.240 Elijah was a great Old Testament prophet. 00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:40.699 And the Old Testament actually ends by saying 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:43.000 that a figure like Elijah would appear 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:44.939 before the great and awesome day of the Lord. 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:47.459 Perhaps Jesus is that great figure. 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:50.219 Or how about one of the prophets, 00:05:50.299 --> 00:05:51.639 or even the prophet? 00:05:51.739 --> 00:05:53.959 Moses predicted in Deuteronomy chapter 18 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:56.120 that a prophet like him would arise. 00:05:57.039 --> 00:05:58.539 Perhaps Jesus is that prophet 00:05:58.539 --> 00:06:00.439 that Moses had spoken about. 00:06:01.899 --> 00:06:06.159 Again, all these are pious, respectful opinions. 00:06:08.259 --> 00:06:10.379 And today, it's kind of the same, isn't it? 00:06:10.379 --> 00:06:14.819 There are a lot of respectful, pious opinions 00:06:14.819 --> 00:06:16.000 about who Jesus is. 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:17.920 A great moral teacher. 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:19.540 A prophet. 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:22.560 A perfect model of love and compassion. 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:26.779 A martyr who stood up against the injustice of his day. 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:31.079 But as we assess these opinions, 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:36.560 do they match what the earliest records 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:39.500 actually tell us about Jesus? 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:43.459 Jesus is a great moral teacher. 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:46.120 But he was much more than that. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:49.300 And what about those things he says 00:06:49.300 --> 00:06:50.699 that don't seem very likely 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:52.420 on the lips of a great moral teacher? 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:53.060 Things like, 00:06:53.620 --> 00:06:55.199 I am the way, the truth, and the life, 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:57.680 and no one comes to the Father except through me. 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:00.860 Can you imagine sitting in an ethics class 00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:02.639 and hearing your teacher say that? 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:05.759 Imagine turning on PBS 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:07.579 and seeing one of these self-help gurus 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:08.779 saying something like that. 00:07:08.779 --> 00:07:11.519 You wouldn't think they're a great moral teacher, 00:07:11.599 --> 00:07:11.839 would you? 00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:16.339 Jesus was a perfect model of love and compassion. 00:07:16.699 --> 00:07:18.599 We've seen that again and again in Mark's gospel, 00:07:18.699 --> 00:07:19.059 haven't we? 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:21.099 As he touches lepers, 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.719 as he eats with outcasts, 00:07:22.719 --> 00:07:24.959 as he welcomes the lowly and the sinners. 00:07:26.299 --> 00:07:27.679 But he was much more than that. 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:30.699 There are times when the disciples 00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:32.780 are downright afraid 00:07:32.780 --> 00:07:35.160 at his power and majesty 00:07:35.160 --> 00:07:37.100 when he calms storms 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:38.560 and walks on the sea 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:40.259 and casts out evil spirits. 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:43.759 And yes, Jesus did stand up 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:45.220 to the injustice of his day. 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:45.620 And yet, 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:47.160 was he simply a martyr 00:07:47.160 --> 00:07:49.060 dying for a good cause? 00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:52.780 Our passage will have more to say about that 00:07:52.780 --> 00:07:53.439 in just a minute. 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:57.180 But so many of the opinions 00:07:57.180 --> 00:07:58.719 or the options that circulate today 00:07:58.719 --> 00:08:01.259 don't really do full justice 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:03.439 to the real Jesus. 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:07.000 They only see part of the picture, 00:08:07.259 --> 00:08:08.660 not the whole. 00:08:10.860 --> 00:08:12.259 So are you and I willing 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:14.899 to subject our opinion of Jesus 00:08:14.899 --> 00:08:17.659 or what you might hear circulating about him 00:08:17.659 --> 00:08:18.379 among your peers 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:20.139 or what you see on popular TV 00:08:20.139 --> 00:08:22.399 or even read in scholarly books? 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.579 Are you willing to subject 00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:25.139 your opinion of Jesus 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:27.180 to the full data that we have? 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:30.779 And when you do, 00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:31.680 you'll start to find 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:32.600 that those opinions 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:34.379 are a bit like a blanket 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:35.899 or a sweater 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:38.399 that's just a little too small. 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:41.480 No matter how hard you stretch it 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:42.500 or pull it, 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:44.779 it never seems to cover everything. 00:08:45.939 --> 00:08:47.840 There's always something that's left out. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:48.559 There's always something 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:49.720 that's unaccounted for. 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:52.480 And you know, 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:54.120 just because an opinion is popular 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:55.259 doesn't mean it's true. 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:57.000 The popular opinion 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:58.159 during Jesus' own ministry 00:08:58.159 --> 00:08:58.720 seems to be 00:08:58.720 --> 00:09:00.120 that he was a prophet of some sort. 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:02.279 But that wasn't quite right. 00:09:02.319 --> 00:09:02.939 It was close, 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:04.199 but it wasn't the full picture. 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:06.319 That sweater didn't quite fit. 00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:08.779 In the second century, 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:11.080 one of the more popular opinions 00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:11.679 about Jesus 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:13.439 came to be known as docetism. 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:15.059 This was the idea 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:17.159 that Jesus only seemed to be human. 00:09:17.319 --> 00:09:19.279 He only seemed to have a body. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:20.959 Because after all, 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:23.039 if Jesus was a powerful divine figure, 00:09:23.199 --> 00:09:24.459 he couldn't possibly have 00:09:24.459 --> 00:09:26.339 an icky body like you and me. 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:28.720 So that was an incredibly popular opinion. 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:29.899 And today we look at that 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:30.120 and we think, 00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:31.240 that's utterly ridiculous. 00:09:33.339 --> 00:09:34.039 But again, 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:35.980 that sweater didn't quite fit either. 00:09:37.439 --> 00:09:38.539 And down through the ages, 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:39.860 popular opinions abounded. 00:09:40.019 --> 00:09:41.000 Perhaps Jesus was just 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:42.100 a really great human 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:44.159 endowed with the spirit of God 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:45.079 in a unique way. 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:46.780 Or perhaps Jesus was just 00:09:46.780 --> 00:09:49.320 a mistaken apocalyptic prophet. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.940 Or perhaps Jesus was just 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:51.900 a religious zealot 00:09:51.900 --> 00:09:52.960 out to overturn Rome. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:53.680 And what you find 00:09:53.680 --> 00:09:54.920 is that these old ideas 00:09:54.920 --> 00:09:57.280 get recycled again and again 00:09:57.280 --> 00:09:59.280 and marketed as new ideas. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.180 And again and again 00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:01.379 as the ideas go in 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:02.420 and out of fashion. 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:05.200 Whether it's a cashmere turtleneck 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:07.600 or a fisherman's white wool cable knit, 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:09.000 the sweater doesn't fit. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:13.419 But the opinions just don't match the reality. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:17.659 And that brings us to the second point. 00:10:18.779 --> 00:10:20.120 There are lots of opinions, 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:22.860 but only one real answer. 00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:26.240 Verses 29 and 30. 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:27.659 And Jesus asked them, 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:30.220 but who do you say that I am? 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:32.840 Peter answered him, 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:35.220 you are the Christ. 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:38.480 And he strictly charged them 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:39.940 to tell no one about him. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:42.980 And here, 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:46.160 with Peter's confession of faith, 00:10:47.040 --> 00:10:49.240 we see for the first time 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.980 in Mark's gospel, 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:54.180 the answer that's been building. 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:57.259 The answer that's been slowly rising 00:10:57.259 --> 00:11:00.660 like a wave that begins far from shore. 00:11:01.160 --> 00:11:02.139 And you can see it 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:03.899 just slowly gathering energy 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:05.059 and power. 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:07.220 And then it rises above the surface 00:11:07.220 --> 00:11:08.840 in power and in beauty, 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:11.179 reflecting the sky and the sun. 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:12.360 There it comes, 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:13.279 raising up. 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:16.799 What other answer could there be? 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:23.459 And yet notice under what conditions 00:11:23.459 --> 00:11:25.759 Peter makes this confession. 00:11:27.699 --> 00:11:29.939 Jesus had done a number of great signs, yes, 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:32.100 but at the same time, 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:33.279 Jesus had no wealth. 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:35.360 No majesty, 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:37.799 no great following, 00:11:38.179 --> 00:11:39.399 no military power. 00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:40.919 In so many ways, 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:43.340 Jesus didn't look anything like the Messiah 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:45.000 that they had been waiting for. 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:47.720 The heads of state didn't recognize him. 00:11:48.459 --> 00:11:50.519 The religious leaders had all but rejected him. 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:53.000 And yet still Peter says, 00:11:53.959 --> 00:11:54.779 you're the Christ. 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:56.360 You're the king. 00:11:57.079 --> 00:11:58.579 You're the one we've been waiting for. 00:11:58.580 --> 00:12:08.520 The Holy Spirit enabled Peter to see what merely human eyes could not see. 00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:11.600 As we saw last week, 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:14.939 our natural condition because of the fall is one of spiritual blindness. 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:19.419 But God can heal our spiritual blindness 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:21.960 and give us eyes to see. 00:12:23.079 --> 00:12:24.740 Eyes to see what Peter saw. 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:29.220 Hearts and mouths that confess what Peter confessed. 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:32.320 How about you, 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:32.660 friend? 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.920 Has your sight begun to get clearer? 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:43.680 Is Jesus no longer to you just a literary character in a story? 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:47.639 Is he no longer just some historical figure? 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:51.620 Is he no longer just one more religious teacher or leader? 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:57.039 Has the wave begun to rise for you too? 00:12:58.239 --> 00:13:01.299 Do you see it in all its power and beauty? 00:13:02.719 --> 00:13:04.599 The loaves that feed the multitude. 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:07.799 The lepers that walk away clean. 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:10.819 The outcasts and the sinners who are embraced. 00:13:11.319 --> 00:13:12.919 The evil spirits that flee. 00:13:14.219 --> 00:13:17.319 The storms that grow quiet at the mere sound of his voice. 00:13:18.979 --> 00:13:21.759 Yes, the popular opinion would say something respectable, 00:13:21.959 --> 00:13:23.019 something pious even. 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:24.559 Perhaps a great moral teacher. 00:13:24.939 --> 00:13:26.759 But as the wave rises, 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:29.039 it doesn't do justice to what you've seen. 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:34.679 Where else do you find such power and such love? 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:38.959 Where else do you find such blistering truth 00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:41.319 and yet such gentle grace? 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:46.120 Can he even be compared to a prophet? 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:48.579 Does he even belong in that category anymore? 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:52.319 Or is he in a class by himself? 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:56.659 And does your heart reach out to him and say, 00:13:57.079 --> 00:14:00.000 you are the Christ, 00:14:00.579 --> 00:14:01.419 the king, 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:04.299 the one we've been waiting for? 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:07.259 To put it all to rights. 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:09.559 To fix what's broken. 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.779 To mend what is torn. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:15.279 To make the evil and the sadness come untrue. 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:20.919 Like Peter, 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:22.179 we should never expect 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:24.239 this confession 00:14:24.239 --> 00:14:26.879 to be a popular one. 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:29.120 We should never expect 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.939 such a true and clear confession 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:32.920 of Jesus as the Christ 00:14:32.920 --> 00:14:34.040 to win us prestige 00:14:34.040 --> 00:14:34.980 or position 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:36.120 or rank 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:37.020 or fame. 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:38.400 In fact, 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:39.680 it may mean the loss 00:14:39.680 --> 00:14:41.020 of a lot of those things. 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.600 But let us follow 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:46.060 in Peter's footsteps nonetheless. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:48.200 If the Holy Spirit 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:48.720 is working 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:50.320 in the eyes of your heart, 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.460 then call out 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:53.300 and confess him 00:14:53.300 --> 00:14:53.820 as your own. 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:56.100 Why? 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:57.760 If the cost is so great, 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.660 why do so? 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:00.640 But friend, 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:01.680 what greater reward 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:02.480 could there be 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:04.960 to know 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:06.460 and be known 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:06.920 by 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:08.220 the king? 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:11.139 Isn't that its own reward? 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:13.960 And the things of earth 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:15.740 will grow strangely dim 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.940 in the light 00:15:16.940 --> 00:15:17.759 of his glory 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.620 and grace. 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:21.220 It's the very thing 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:22.700 our hearts were created for, 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:24.120 to know 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.660 and be known 00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:25.160 by him. 00:15:28.920 --> 00:15:30.360 But as our passage continues, 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.820 we see that at this stage, 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.440 the disciples 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:34.759 didn't understand 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:35.580 everything 00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:36.759 fully 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.799 just yet. 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:40.220 There are lots of opinions 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:40.879 about Jesus 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:43.100 and only one real answer. 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:45.220 But this answer 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:46.240 is deeper than you think. 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:47.860 This answer 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.600 is a lot 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:49.519 deeper 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:50.439 than you think. 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:51.159 And this brings us 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:51.980 to our third point 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:52.639 of our passage 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.539 in verse 31. 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:54.799 You know, 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.240 did you think 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.100 it was a little strange 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:59.080 that Jesus tells Peter 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:00.220 to tell no one? 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:01.799 I mean, 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.659 Peter has just 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.519 confessed 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.799 that Jesus is the Christ, 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.279 the Messiah. 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:05.919 Finally, 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:06.919 someone gets it. 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.219 Why not tell Peter 00:16:08.219 --> 00:16:08.659 to go 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:09.539 and spread the news 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:10.839 everywhere to everyone? 00:16:12.719 --> 00:16:13.159 Well, 00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:14.120 because at this point, 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:16.199 not even the disciples 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:17.819 have quite the full picture. 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.199 Look at verse 31. 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:20.939 And Jesus began 00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:21.659 to teach them 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:23.000 that the Son of Man, 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:24.439 he's referring to himself there, 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.979 must suffer many things 00:16:26.979 --> 00:16:28.519 and be rejected 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.099 by the elders 00:16:29.099 --> 00:16:29.980 and the chief priests 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.699 and the scribes 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:31.319 and be killed 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:33.000 and after three days 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.640 rise again. 00:16:35.780 --> 00:16:37.180 And it's with this verse 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:39.560 that Mark's gospel 00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:40.320 takes a turn 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:41.760 and we see 00:16:41.760 --> 00:16:42.820 the great wave 00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:44.180 of Jesus' identity 00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:45.120 begin to crest 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:47.020 and see it 00:16:47.020 --> 00:16:48.600 take its full form. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.300 The disciples, 00:16:51.540 --> 00:16:52.420 like most Jews 00:16:52.420 --> 00:16:53.040 of their day, 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.580 expected a Messiah 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:55.860 who would reign 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.880 in power, 00:16:57.660 --> 00:16:58.700 not suffer 00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.380 in agony. 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:02.720 They had what we might call 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:04.039 a theology of glory, 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.759 a theology of victory, 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.299 a theology of triumph, 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:09.200 not a theology 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.039 of the cross. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.000 But notice 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.259 that this message 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.299 of Jesus' suffering, 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:16.799 rejection, 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.279 death, 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:18.200 and rising again, 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:19.319 according to Jesus, 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:21.039 it's utterly essential 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.220 to what he, 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:22.980 as the Messiah, 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:23.880 has come to do. 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.279 Notice the word there 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:26.920 that he uses, 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.279 must. 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:30.600 The Son of Man 00:17:30.600 --> 00:17:32.220 must suffer. 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:34.520 He must be rejected. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.720 He must be killed. 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.680 He must rise again. 00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:41.500 There's no understanding, 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:41.940 Jesus, 00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:43.240 apart from this 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.520 must. 00:17:47.260 --> 00:17:48.640 But what does he mean by it? 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:49.460 Why does Jesus say 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:51.080 that he must suffer? 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.220 Does he mean that 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:54.540 he'll simply be unable 00:17:54.540 --> 00:17:56.120 to escape the jealousy 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.700 and hatred 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.760 of the chief priest 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.319 and the scribe, 00:17:58.379 --> 00:18:00.220 that they're stronger 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.640 than him, 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.460 they're more powerful 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:01.900 than him, 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:02.579 so it's inevitable 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.220 that they'll have 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.019 their way with him? 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:05.220 Is that what this 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.539 must means? 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:09.059 Surely that can't be it. 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.400 Does Jesus mean 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:13.839 that he must leave them 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:14.720 a great example 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.500 of self-sacrifice 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.599 and self-denial? 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:19.900 Is this why he must die, 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.400 to merely teach them 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:21.980 the importance 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.279 of self-giving love? 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:26.759 Well, that can't be it either. 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:29.940 Then why is Jesus 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:30.740 so adamant 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:32.779 that he must die? 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.700 Well, the Messiah 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.319 was the one 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:38.920 who was supposed 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:40.119 to put things right, 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:42.500 to heal and mend 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.259 what was broken. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:48.139 But the greatest problem 00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:49.480 wasn't the Romans, 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:52.019 and it wasn't leprosy, 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:53.259 and it wasn't 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.140 a shortage of food, 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.279 and it wasn't 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.460 even unclean spirits. 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:58.960 All those things 00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.480 mattered, 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:01.420 but that wasn't 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.480 the root of the problem. 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.200 In theory, 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.839 all those things 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.539 could be fixed, 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.200 but still, 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.160 the greatest problem 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:07.900 would remain 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:09.319 the one that stood 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:09.779 at the root 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:10.440 and gave birth 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.259 to all the rest. 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.420 What needed 00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:15.500 to be put right 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:18.160 wasn't ultimately 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.860 their relationship 00:19:18.860 --> 00:19:19.480 to Rome 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.380 or to one another 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.700 or to the environment 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.700 or to themselves. 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.259 What needed 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.340 to be put right 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:28.660 was their relationship 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.360 with God. 00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:33.120 And to do that, 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.380 the king must 00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:36.540 suffer, 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.920 be rejected 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.560 and killed 00:19:38.560 --> 00:19:39.840 and rise again. 00:19:43.060 --> 00:19:44.380 Consider why that is 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.900 from God's side. 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:46.900 God's side. 00:19:47.360 --> 00:19:48.120 Again and again, 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.000 the Bible presents 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.900 God as utterly 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:51.100 holy and just 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:52.540 and at the same time 00:19:52.540 --> 00:19:53.400 utterly gracious 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:53.920 and loving. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:55.200 Read the Old Testament. 00:19:55.360 --> 00:19:56.220 What do you find? 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.720 Well, again and again, 00:19:57.800 --> 00:19:58.480 you find things 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.900 like Exodus 34, 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:00.800 6 and 7. 00:20:01.360 --> 00:20:01.940 God is a God 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.960 merciful and gracious, 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.980 slow to anger 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.580 and abounding 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:05.440 in steadfast love 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.220 and faithfulness, 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.780 keeping steadfast love 00:20:07.780 --> 00:20:08.480 for thousands, 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.780 forgiving iniquity 00:20:09.780 --> 00:20:10.420 and transgression 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:10.940 and sin, 00:20:11.300 --> 00:20:13.140 but who will 00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:13.980 by no means 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.940 clear the guilty. 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:18.240 Well, which one is it? 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:20.880 Is God perfectly just? 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.600 He will by no means 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.360 clear the guilty? 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:25.820 Or is God perfectly 00:20:25.820 --> 00:20:26.940 merciful and gracious, 00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:28.460 abounding in steadfast love? 00:20:31.800 --> 00:20:33.220 Do we have to flip a coin 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:33.800 and pick? 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.920 Is God erratic? 00:20:36.060 --> 00:20:38.540 Does he choose one one day 00:20:38.540 --> 00:20:39.220 and one the other? 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.860 No. 00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:44.880 The answer is he's both. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.680 Always. 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:48.480 At the same time. 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:52.860 And that creates a dilemma 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:54.319 that runs right through 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:55.940 the entire Old Testament. 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.559 How can God 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:59.620 be holy and just 00:20:59.620 --> 00:21:00.980 and yet 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:03.539 still live with his sinful people, 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.740 still be merciful 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.640 and accepting? 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:08.759 Well, friends, 00:21:08.820 --> 00:21:09.640 the answer is here 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:11.960 in Mark chapter 8 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.740 when Jesus says, 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:14.680 must. 00:21:17.020 --> 00:21:18.020 At the cross. 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.480 At the cross, 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:20.240 the Messiah 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:22.480 will represent his people 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:25.660 bearing the perfectly 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:26.920 just penalty 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.780 for human sin. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:29.220 God will judge sin 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:31.500 perfectly at the cross 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:34.000 and at the same time 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:36.960 extend perfect mercy 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:38.940 because God in Christ 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:40.019 is bearing the penalty 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.019 on himself 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:43.019 so his people 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.839 don't have to. 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.079 Utterly, 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:48.420 holy and just 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:50.079 and perfectly 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:51.259 merciful. 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.660 And that brings us 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.500 to the human side 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.460 of the relationship. 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.059 You see, 00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.619 the problem, 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.380 what we see here 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.760 in this must of Jesus, 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:03.380 the problem of human sinfulness 00:22:03.380 --> 00:22:04.200 is so great, 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.800 so intractable, 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.280 that nothing less 00:22:07.280 --> 00:22:08.920 can take it away. 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:11.280 We can't possibly 00:22:11.280 --> 00:22:12.200 be good enough 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:14.100 to cover over the offense 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:15.080 or to make up 00:22:15.080 --> 00:22:15.860 for the cost. 00:22:16.560 --> 00:22:16.740 No, 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.340 the Messiah 00:22:17.340 --> 00:22:18.960 must suffer 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.040 and die 00:22:20.040 --> 00:22:21.280 to atone 00:22:21.280 --> 00:22:22.180 for our sins. 00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:24.100 If there's ever 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.220 to be atonement 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:25.720 for sins, 00:22:25.780 --> 00:22:26.860 if humans are ever 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.600 to be put right 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:28.180 with God, 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.299 then the Messiah 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.660 must die. 00:22:33.100 --> 00:22:33.799 And yet, 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.820 here's the good news. 00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:38.080 Jesus willingly 00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:38.779 did so. 00:22:40.600 --> 00:22:41.779 Seeing what had 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.420 to be done, 00:22:43.060 --> 00:22:43.799 the great cost 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.420 that needed 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.299 to be paid, 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.779 seeing what must happen 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.660 if ever we could 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.259 be forgiven, 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.620 Jesus freely 00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:51.720 chose to do so. 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.820 The one who had 00:22:53.820 --> 00:22:55.120 all the glory 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:56.000 and the splendor 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.500 of heaven, 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.859 who was beautiful 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:59.039 beyond compare, 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:00.759 would come, 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.839 as Isaiah 53 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:03.220 says, 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.400 that we read earlier, 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:07.140 and be despised 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:09.099 and forgotten 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:10.599 and considered 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:11.440 of little account. 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:12.839 Why? 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.180 For us. 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:18.700 Friends, 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.680 this is the centerpiece 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.400 of the whole Bible. 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.140 Everything else 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:23.240 is secondary to this, 00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:24.980 that Christ died 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.500 for sinners. 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.460 This is the truth 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.039 that you can lean 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.460 your whole weight upon 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:31.240 in life and in death, 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:33.019 in sickness and in health, 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.700 that though we deserve 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.220 nothing, 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.759 Christ willingly 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.660 suffered for us 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.339 on the cross. 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:40.279 And by his suffering, 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:41.480 he's purchased forgiveness 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:43.059 and eternal life 00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:44.440 for all who believe 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:44.880 in him. 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:47.539 This is the one thing 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:49.000 that you can rest 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.160 everything on. 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:54.980 But there's one last thing 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.500 in our passage 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:55.980 that we see. 00:23:56.080 --> 00:23:56.700 We saw that there are 00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:57.840 many opinions about Jesus, 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.560 but only one real answer. 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:01.400 Then we saw that this answer 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.060 was even deeper 00:24:02.060 --> 00:24:02.980 than we realized. 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:04.940 Our passage ends, 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.080 though, 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:05.900 by showing us 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:07.680 that we can easily 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.360 lose sight 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:10.580 of this central truth. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.360 We can easily 00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:12.080 lose sight of it. 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.180 Pick up in verse 32, 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:15.700 and Peter took Jesus aside 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.640 and began to rebuke him. 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.039 But turning and seeing 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.640 his disciples, 00:24:20.840 --> 00:24:21.740 Jesus rebuked Peter 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.160 and said, 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.220 get behind me, Satan, 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.700 for you're not setting 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.920 your mind on the things 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.420 of God, 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.560 but on the things 00:24:27.560 --> 00:24:28.000 of man. 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.460 Friends, 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.860 how often are we like Peter? 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:36.820 We want a theology 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:37.920 of glory, 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:39.980 not a theology 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.680 of the cross. 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:41.980 In other words, 00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:43.000 we want a Christ 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:44.359 who promises us 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:45.740 health and wealth 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.720 and power 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.799 and happiness, 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.559 not a Christ 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:50.140 who suffers. 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:52.480 We want a Christ 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.279 who grants us 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.099 our own wishes 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:54.839 and desires, 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.759 a Christ who follows 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.400 our agenda 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.440 and our program, 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:59.339 not a Christ 00:24:59.339 --> 00:24:59.920 who calls us 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:00.980 to take up a cross 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.400 and follow him 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.299 on the path 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:05.220 of self-sacrifice 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.119 and self-giving. 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.720 How often do we, too, 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:11.099 set our minds 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:12.660 on the things of man 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:13.840 and not 00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:14.540 on the things 00:25:14.540 --> 00:25:15.080 of God? 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:17.060 How quickly, 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.340 thinking that we're 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:19.120 actually honoring 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:20.120 God's name, 00:25:20.320 --> 00:25:21.960 do we end up just 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.200 playing into the hand 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.519 of the evil one? 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:28.440 So, friends, 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:30.599 let us learn humility 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:31.759 from our passage. 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:35.059 Just because we as Christians 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:36.200 speak the name of Christ, 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.000 it doesn't mean 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.759 that we've always 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.740 fully embraced 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.859 the reality 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.879 of Christ crucified 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:42.339 and applied it 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.440 to our whole lives. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.940 There are still 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:47.980 areas of our hearts 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:49.379 where we desire 00:25:49.379 --> 00:25:50.359 human glory 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:51.779 and human approval. 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:51.879 people. 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:53.980 There are still 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.720 areas where we 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.700 refuse to take up 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.180 our cross 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:56.980 and follow him. 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.639 There are still 00:25:58.639 --> 00:25:59.339 areas where we 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:00.299 fail to see 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:02.279 that my sins 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.920 are so great 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.440 that Christ 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.980 must die for me. 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.740 So, friends, 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.319 let us walk 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.000 in humility 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.460 knowing that 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:10.980 this truth 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.799 about who Jesus 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.700 really is 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.799 has to go 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.180 deeper 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.139 and deeper 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:16.000 and deeper 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.000 into our lives, 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.759 into our thinking, 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:18.879 into our relationships, 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:20.240 into our church, 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.900 into our workplaces. 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.460 And if we learn 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:25.839 humility 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.660 from Peter here, 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:28.299 I think we can 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:28.799 also learn 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.359 charity. 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.180 Yes, 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.079 Jesus gives Peter 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:33.079 a strong 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.000 rebuke, 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:35.000 perhaps the strongest 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.779 he could give. 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:38.279 But doesn't 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:38.799 this passage 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.460 teach us 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.660 not to be 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.299 too quick 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.839 to write off 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.920 another believer 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:45.120 because of their 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:45.539 errors 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:46.400 and mistakes? 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:49.120 Within a few 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:49.519 verses, 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.279 Peter got it 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.559 wonderfully right 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.279 and then 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.920 disastrously wrong. 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.139 And he was 00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:57.099 corrected for it. 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.319 And yet, 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:02.000 that wasn't 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.339 the end 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:03.180 of Peter's story. 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.720 He would come 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.160 to see what 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.879 every true Christian 00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:07.639 comes to see, 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:10.119 that the cross 00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:10.660 is the very 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.440 center of it all 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.879 and that we 00:27:12.879 --> 00:27:13.720 can't really know 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.400 Jesus as our 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.859 king without 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.379 knowing him 00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:17.160 as our crucified 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:18.559 and risen king. 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:21.559 as every 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.059 Christian can 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.460 confess, 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.379 it takes time 00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:24.539 for this truth 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.159 to permeate 00:27:25.159 --> 00:27:25.500 our whole 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:25.899 thinking 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:26.639 and our 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:27.220 whole living 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:29.000 so we can 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.480 be gracious 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.079 and gentle 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:30.579 and charitable 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.359 with one another 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.399 as we work 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:32.859 these things 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.319 out in our 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:33.759 lives. 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.859 But the truth 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.059 is, 00:27:37.179 --> 00:27:37.480 friends, 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.299 by the Holy 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:38.759 Spirit, 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.399 it will do 00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:40.700 that. 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.960 It will 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.179 begin to 00:27:43.179 --> 00:27:43.720 permeate 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.559 everything. 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.879 and it 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:46.399 must do 00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:46.700 that. 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:48.720 This is 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:48.980 what it 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.480 means to 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:49.960 confess 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.740 Jesus as 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.379 the Christ, 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.759 not just 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.079 as our 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:53.419 king, 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.179 not just 00:27:54.179 --> 00:27:54.480 as our 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:54.779 Lord, 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.379 but as 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:55.559 our 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.079 crucified 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.619 king, 00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:57.339 as our 00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:57.639 risen 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:58.099 Lord. 00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:01.200 Not 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:02.200 just a 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:02.740 theology of 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.179 glory, 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.099 but a 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:04.599 theology of 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:05.119 the cross. 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:08.559 So how 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:08.819 about you, 00:28:08.919 --> 00:28:09.119 friend? 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.379 Who do you 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.039 say he is? 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:14.519 And have 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.200 you confessed 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:15.980 him as 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.420 such? 00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.440 There are 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:18.839 lots of 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:19.339 opinions, 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.399 but only 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:20.899 one real 00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.259 answer. 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.639 You are 00:28:23.639 --> 00:28:24.700 the Christ. 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.279 Make Peter's 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.980 confession your 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.500 own today. 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.200 Let's pray 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:30.519 together. 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.159 Our 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:35.559 Father in 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:35.740 heaven, 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.339 like Peter, 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:38.879 we know 00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:39.920 that, 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.099 God, 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:40.480 we so 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:40.980 often get 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.500 it wrong. 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.940 And so 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.480 we pause 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:44.740 now, 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.019 having 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.019 considered 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.319 this 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.859 passage, 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:48.440 in quiet 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.000 before you 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.299 and in 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:49.879 stillness, 00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:52.159 and ask 00:28:52.159 --> 00:28:52.440 for your 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.119 Holy Spirit 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:53.680 to come 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:56.680 and take 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:57.220 the blinders 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.539 from our 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.599 eyes and 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:58.899 from our 00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.279 heart. 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:00.819 Lord, 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:01.720 clear away 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.460 the opinions 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:03.039 and help 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:04.180 us to 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:05.180 truly see 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:05.559 and to 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.039 know and 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.579 to confess 00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:07.180 Jesus as 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.700 the Christ. 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:07.779 Christ. 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:10.900 And Lord, 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.259 for those 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:11.539 of us 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.240 who have 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:14.000 through 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.700 your grace 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.720 come to 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.299 take you 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:16.960 and confess 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.319 you as 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:17.779 the Christ, 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.580 forgive us, 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:18.920 God, 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:21.420 for ways in 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:21.759 which we 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.240 have not 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:24.120 followed the 00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:24.539 way of the 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:24.880 cross. 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.380 But God, 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:28.759 thank you for 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.279 the hope of 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.960 this passage, 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:33.860 that you're 00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:34.700 healing and 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.279 good and 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.700 gracious 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.380 King. 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.180 God, 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:40.620 come and do 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.079 a work in 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:41.240 us, 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:41.740 we pray. 00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:42.579 Make us 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:42.960 the kind 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.380 of people 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:45.000 who confess 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.400 you with 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:46.059 boldness 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:47.700 and live 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.299 that out 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:49.360 in the 00:29:49.360 --> 00:29:49.799 gentleness 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:50.539 and strength 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.220 and courage 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.519 that you 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.019 provide. 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:53.539 Pray this 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:53.920 in Jesus' 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:54.319 name. 00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:54.840 Amen.